Congress approval hits all-time low

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A Gallup poll yesterday showed the Democrat-led Congress' job-approval rating sank to 18 percent, the lowest rating since Gallup began tracking that public-opinion measurement in 1974.

The approval rating dropped nine percentage points since last month as 76 percent of Americans registered unhappiness with Congress' performance, according to the survey.

Voters have not held Congress in such low esteem since Gallup recorded another 18 percent job-approval rating during the congressional check-bouncing scandal in March 1992 or a 19 percent rating during crippling gasoline shortages in the summer of 1979.

President Bush's job-approval rating held steady at 32 percent in the poll of 1,019 adults conducted Monday through Thursday last week. Voters gave Mr. Bush high marks on dealing with terrorism and low scores on foreign affairs and the Iraq war, pollsters said.

The dim view of Capitol Hill is bound to color debate of the war, spending bills and other measures, including a Democratic plan to expand a federal health insurance program for poor children, when lawmakers return next month from summer recess.

Democrats and Republicans yesterday blamed each other for Congress' bad ratings.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said his party was delivering on the nation's priorities, including raising the minimum wage and enacting the last of the September 11 commission's recommendations — despite Republican obstructionism.

"The frustration of the American people is understandable in light of the obstruction of the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress to prevent change on important issues such as the war in Iraq and strengthening America's security," said Reid spokesman Jim Manley.

House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, said he was not surprised by the low poll numbers because Democrats' lackluster performance has "made Americans more cynical than ever about their government."

"The American people want solutions, not gridlock," Mr. Boehner said. "Instead of going it alone like they have thus far, it's my hope that Democratic leaders will reach out to Republicans on key issues like Iraq, tax relief and spending in September."

Congress' job-approval rating has careened downward since peaking at 35 percent in January, when Democrats took control of both chambers for the first time in a dozen years. The rating was 21 percent in December, just after voters turned out Republicans because of corruption scandals and frustration with the war in Iraq.

The poll showed that the negative opinion of Congress is shared across the political spectrum — Democrats gave Congress a 21 percent job-approval rating, Republicans 18 percent and independent voters 17 percent — reflecting impatience with new leadership unable to deliver on promises, including an end to the Iraq war.

The nine percentage point drop from last month was a result of further disapproval from Democrats and independents. The rating by Democrats fell 11 percentage points and the rating by independent voters declined 13 percentage points, Gallup said.

"We understand their frustration, but we are moving forward," said Brenden Daly, spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, who has vowed to press for a troop pullout after Congress receives a Sept. 15 military progress report.